By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 3 January 2026 - The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is weighing options on whether to preserve the remains of Craig, one of Africa’s most iconic and oldest super tuskers, following his death in Amboseli National Park – a decision that has drawn international attention from conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.
“The decision is yet to be made if the whole animal will be preserved under some treatment,” KWS Senior Assistant Director for Corporate Communications Duncan Juma Wanyama told Dawan Africa, adding that the agency will issue an update once a final determination is reached.
Craig, a globally celebrated bull elephant famed for his massive, ground-sweeping tusks and calm disposition, died early Saturday at the age of 54.
KWS confirmed the death in a statement, describing the loss as one felt not only in Kenya but across the world.
“Early this morning, Amboseli National Park, Kenya – and indeed the world – lost a true icon,” the agency said.
Born in January 1972 to the legendary matriarch Cassandra of the CB family, Craig lived through some of the most turbulent decades for Africa’s elephant population, when poaching driven by the illegal ivory trade decimated herds across the continent.
His survival into old age placed him among a vanishing group of super tuskers – rare bull elephants whose tusks each weigh more than 45 kilogrammes.
Today, only a handful of such elephants remain in Africa, making Craig a living monument to the continent’s natural heritage.
International conservation experts note that decades of selective poaching have nearly erased large-tusk genetics from the wild, elevating the global importance of animals like Craig.
Beyond his physical grandeur, Craig became an international symbol of successful conservation.
His unusually calm nature made him a favourite among visitors, researchers and filmmakers, and his image was widely circulated in global wildlife documentaries and conservation campaigns, positioning Amboseli as one of the world’s most important elephant landscapes.
More from Kenya
KWS attributed Craig’s long life to sustained protection efforts carried out in partnership with conservation organisations and the local community.
Continuous monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection and community stewardship allowed him to roam freely and safely for more than five decades.
His story has often been cited internationally as evidence that long-term investment in conservation can reverse the decline of threatened species.
In 2021, Craig’s global profile was further elevated during the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival.
The initiative sought to mobilise resources for elephant conservation and promote peaceful coexistence between wildlife and communities living around protected areas.
The festival, which was attended by senior government leaders including the then Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, aligned Kenya’s conservation agenda with global commitments under international frameworks such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Speaking at the event, Ms Anne-Joy Michira said conservation is important in any company's sustainability agenda.
“Private-sector involvement can play a vital role in protecting endangered species," she said.
Craig also leaves behind a critical biological legacy. He sired several calves, ensuring the survival of his rare genetic traits at a time when Africa’s elephant population has declined by more than half over the past 50 years.
As KWS deliberates on how best to honour and preserve Craig’s legacy, his death stands as a poignant reminder to the international community that the survival of iconic wildlife depends on sustained, collective action – long after the headlines fade.
